13.09.2008, 03:33
Hypo in the Final

The Austrian team reach the final with a stunning Oh and a great Brazilian second half.

Hypo in the Final

The 2008 Women´s Champions Trophy started with a Hypo vs Larvik game. In theory, Austrian dominance was expected as the Champions League winner of last year met the Cup Winners´ Cup winner.

There were no surprises in either of the squad. Hypo started the game as they finished the CL final a few months ago. With the same line-up, at least.

Larvik sent on court four Olympic champions, namely Tonje Larsen, Kari Mette Johansen, Karoline Breivang and Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth.

Though the line-up was the same for Hypo, the speed of the game and the precision of the shots were not. The teams were only equal until 2-2. At this point the Austrians made mistakes, missed shots and even 7-m shots. Veteran goalkeeper Rantala saved 3 penalties in the first half and that was enough to take a few gaols advantage.

And then something completely different...

The first half ended 16-12 for Larvik, but there was a change after the break. Hypo did not make so many mistakes in the attack (no chance for Norwegian fastbreaks). The Brazilians, Nascimento and Pidade and the Korean Oh improved significantly, while Englert did well in the goal. Oh scored 7 alone in the second half…

Hypo equalised in the middle of the second half with a Borges Mesquite goal. The new Brazilian left wing made a promising debut in Hypo with six goals, all after the break.

Just ten minutes later it was already decided. Though Loeke and Breivang tried to keep Larvik in the game, the scoreboard showed 31-27.

After this both sides were playing rather easily without too much defending and the final score was 35-31 for Hypo.

The Austrians are waiting for a Russian opponent in tomorrow´s final.

Comments from the coaches

Andras Nemeth, Hypo: The game began very badly; there was virtually no one in the first half to build on. It was completely different in the second half, but it is normal with only two weeks after the Olympic Games.

Karl Erik Bohn, Larvik: We did not fight today. Usually, our defence is very strong, but this time we allowed them to score easily. There were positive elements in the game too, but we have only been together a few days and it was apparent. Hypo played well too.

TEXT: Balazs Nemcsik reporting from Chekhov